I have a aging Digihome PVR80 (bought 2007) which is (was) still going strong - but for how much longer? ! also have a Bush HD Sat box, which has been on the whole not too bad (occassional loss of HD picture is it's worse feature.)
I was thinking of changing the Bush for a Foxsat HDR - the only problem is I only have one satellite cable.
I know I could have that changed - but can you run the FOXsat from 1 cable?

Yes, but not to the best effect.

It will record one channel or you can watch one channel.

If you wire it correctly you can sometimes record two or watch one and record one but it will depend on them both being on compatible band/polarisation.

It would be a shame to deprive yourself of the full functionality of the Foxsat unless you really can't avoid it.

It's a lot more flexible than Jepson suggests using one cable.

Firstly you need a short length of coax with a f connector on each end. Connect tuner 1 out to tuner 2 in.

Download this webpage and open it in your browser.

http://www.4shared.com/document/baZ3...icMK2_011.html

Look at Column 5 labelled block, you will see there are 4 of them marked HBH, HBV, LBH and LBV. These are the 4 modes your lnb can operate in High Band Horizontal, High Band Vertical, Low Band Horizontal and Low Band Vertical.

Now look at Cols 1-5 these show which transponders (multiplexes) are used for the freesat epg channels.

When you set a first recording the channel you are going to record determines which of the 4 blocks the lnb will be using.

Rules You can record any two channels in the same block.

You can also watch some 3rd channels while recording two.

If both recording channels are sharing a transponder then you can watch (and time shift any other channel in the same block)

If both recordings are from different transponders then you can watch (but not time shift) any other channel sharing a transponder with either recording.

Since by far the maJority of tv channels are in the two lower band blocks for most recording situations a little less than 50% of the total channel count can be second recorded. If one of the recording pair is a bbc 1 region then by switching regions you can make over 90% of 2nd channels available.

Example if you use a postcode that gives you ITV1-HD Granada on the epg you can do this

Record BBC1-HD and BBC-HD and view ITV1-HD all at the same time.

When you install the hdr it recognises the single cable mode of connection so it knows which channels are available for recording and viewing.

Of course it makes sense to fit a quad lnb and provide the second cable bit if this is not possible then it's a viable comprimise.



Of course it makes sense to fit a quad lnb if you can to provide the second connection

Thanks for that - it looks reasonably OK - no need to get the cabling done immediately - I have the Freeview PVR to tape other things if they clash.

Well, bought one from JL last week and had delivered to my local Waitrose. Much easier than waiting in for a delivery!

Anyway, it seems fine so far although the GUI is prettier than my Vestel PVR80 - I don't think it is as easy to use (a few too many options!). I have, however, come across a small problem, I have transferred some of my MP3s to the Foxsat - some play, some don't (file format not supported) the funny thing is that some play on an album and some don't - there is nothing wrong with the files as they play on DVD player, Sony Walkman, car etc.
Any suggestions or does the Foxsat only support particular bit-rates? I couldn't find mention of this in the manual.